I've wanted to go back to get my MBA for a couple of years now, but financially it didn't really make sense. With my recent job switch, my employer offers 100% education reimbursement (tuition, books, lab fees, etc), so I can go back for free. I'm in the Boston area, so fortunately we have several pretty good evening programs - initially I was looking into BU and BC.
I self-studied for the GMATs and took them last month - I got a 660 last month, which isn't "amazing", but not bad. I scored in the 92nd percentile for verbal, but didn't do so hot on the Math. Typically, math is my strong point, so I've buckled down on the studying and actually started the MasterGmat program instead of the self-study method to bump that up. My practice test scores have already been improving (although I know these don't really mean anything come test-day). My goal is to get up to a 720 by when I take them next month and if I do, apply to HBS and Sloan.
I graduated from Brown University in 2006 with a 3.12 GPA in what is essentially business from a sociology view - Brown is quirky with the names of their concentrations. Over the past 5 years, I've worked in the online advertising space as an account manager and I have really strong numbers every quarter - always beating my goals, gaining strong references from important players in the field.
I feel as if "online advertising/sales" may be a unique background that could either help or hurt my cause. It's not as "prestigious" or easy to relate to as Investment Banking or Real Estate, but it's a field that is really taking off and I've been able to really learn the industry from the ground up as it's still fairly nascent.
I know my GPA isn't "stellar" and right now my GMAT isn't "stellar", but I'm curious as to if I would have any chance at getting into Harvard or Sloan if I was to get my GMAT score up a little. Will the name "Brown" help carry me a little? Believe me, I'm not one to judge someone based on where they went to school - it's what you put into it.
The other problem I'll face if I ever did get in to HBS or Sloan is whether it's worth giving up 2 years of work experience, salary, and a free MBA from a school like BU or BC, for a more prestigious name on the diploma. I have several friends at HBS who love it, so I feel like you aren't just paying for a name in that case.
Anyone from the advertising world or a similar background had luck applying?
Thanks, everyone!
I self-studied for the GMATs and took them last month - I got a 660 last month, which isn't "amazing", but not bad. I scored in the 92nd percentile for verbal, but didn't do so hot on the Math. Typically, math is my strong point, so I've buckled down on the studying and actually started the MasterGmat program instead of the self-study method to bump that up. My practice test scores have already been improving (although I know these don't really mean anything come test-day). My goal is to get up to a 720 by when I take them next month and if I do, apply to HBS and Sloan.
I graduated from Brown University in 2006 with a 3.12 GPA in what is essentially business from a sociology view - Brown is quirky with the names of their concentrations. Over the past 5 years, I've worked in the online advertising space as an account manager and I have really strong numbers every quarter - always beating my goals, gaining strong references from important players in the field.
I feel as if "online advertising/sales" may be a unique background that could either help or hurt my cause. It's not as "prestigious" or easy to relate to as Investment Banking or Real Estate, but it's a field that is really taking off and I've been able to really learn the industry from the ground up as it's still fairly nascent.
I know my GPA isn't "stellar" and right now my GMAT isn't "stellar", but I'm curious as to if I would have any chance at getting into Harvard or Sloan if I was to get my GMAT score up a little. Will the name "Brown" help carry me a little? Believe me, I'm not one to judge someone based on where they went to school - it's what you put into it.
The other problem I'll face if I ever did get in to HBS or Sloan is whether it's worth giving up 2 years of work experience, salary, and a free MBA from a school like BU or BC, for a more prestigious name on the diploma. I have several friends at HBS who love it, so I feel like you aren't just paying for a name in that case.
Anyone from the advertising world or a similar background had luck applying?
Thanks, everyone!
